The state government has rebuffed claims the premier "is ignoring Mandurah" after not attending the opening of the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games.
Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup expressed his disappointment with Mark McGowan on social media after he attended the inaugural Hills Billy Cart Festival at Mount Helena rather than the showcase in Mandurah at the weekend.
Thousands of people from several countries poured into Mandurah on Sunday evening for the opening ceremony of the games - but Mr McGowan was not one of them.
Mr Kirkup said the nonappearance was a “real shame” and showed Mandurah was “being ignored by this government”.
"The opening ceremony of the APES Game was an awesome moment in time for Mandurah,” he said.
"To have an event that will bring millions of dollars to our local economy, thousands of visitors and so many events to become the biggest event we've ever held in Mandurah is an amazing achievement of everyone involved.
"It's a shame though that the premier of Western Australia decided not to attend to the opening of the games.
“While we were celebrating thousands of international and domestic competitors arriving in our city, the premier decided a billy cart race with less than 150 contenders was more important.”
A spokeswoman from the premier’s office said there was “nothing untoward about there being competing events and the premier being able to only attend one of them”.
“The premier has been to the Peel region numerous times already this year and made several announcements and commitments to boost the local economy, improve roads, enhance health services, support schools and teachers, and create WA jobs,” she said.
The spokeswoman said the event was formally opened by WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts and Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan was also in attendance.
She said WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia was not in attendance as he was on a trip to India to drive more tourism opportunities for the state.
His trip forms part of discussions to establish direct non-stop flights between India and Perth.
The premier’s most-recent trip to the Peel region was on October 20, to announce funding for local clubs as part of the 2018-19 Regional Grants Scheme.
The McGowan Labor Government signed the deal to secure the 2018 Australasian Police and Emergency Games in Mandurah.
